SEC decries ‘money and muscle culture’ during elections

ZIRO, Jun 15: State Election Commissioner (SEC) Hage Kojeen has urged the Lower Subansiri district administration to initiate sensitization programmes on electoral offences defined under the Representation of People Act, 1951, besides on the dos and don’ts and the model code of conduct to be observed during elections.
The SEC was addressing officers including Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Chuku Takar, SP Dr Hemant Tiwari, DPDO Nending Chatung, EROs, AEROs, and panchayati raj officials during a review meeting on the preparedness for election-related activities, at the DC office here on Friday.
Kojeen emphasized the need to ensure fair and free PRI elections as and when the polls are scheduled.
Strongly decrying ‘money and muscle culture’ during elections, the SEC said he would create a level playing field to ensure free and fair elections.
“The district administration should initiate election-related activities in collaboration with various agencies including NGOs, students, youths and media,” he said.
Referring to the law and order situation, he asked the police to categorize polling stations as ‘hypersensitive’, ‘sensitive’ and ‘normal’ well in advance to streamline security arrangements during elections.
Kojeen also spoke about other arrangements like electoral roll revision and updating, maintenance of ballot boxes, and finalization of different categories of polling stations. (DIPRO)